Aug 17, 2007 Doug Goodhue National Masters Champ By Doug Kurtis :: Views- 3395
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Watching Doug Goodhue during a track workout a few weeks ago was like witnessing a gazelle fleeing from one of its predators. His biomechanics were flawless. It is what every middle distance track runner would want: perfect arm swing, foot strike and a model of efficiency.



Earlier this month, Goodhue of Milford used his graceful stride to crush his opponents in the United States Track and Field Master's Championships at the University of Maine. His 39:14:36 in the 10,000 meters put him over a lap ahead of his next competitor in the over 65 age group final.

Goodhue followed up that performance with a nail biter against Gerard Malaczynski, another Michigan age group star, in the 1500 meter race. The two placed second and third, with Goodhue just one second ahead in 5:08:57. Finals are set up in five year age groups and some are combined for the older age groups. Women have separate events.

Goodhue has won USATF Championship gold medals at four different venues: indoor and outdoor track, road racing and cross country. Since turning sixty, he has focused on setting American records for his age and still has opportunities to accomplish his goals.

In Orono, Maine, more than one thousand runners competed in track and field events over a four day span. Top distance runners cross paths many times over the course of a year and Goodhue can rattle off the names of a dozen friendly competitors. He is amazed at how talented both the men and women are at every distance as well as in the field events.

During an interview, Goodhue commented that, "The number of recognized athletes gets smaller as you go from road running to track. But I enjoy the atmosphere at track meets. They draw good crowds, especially by early afternoon. Plus athletes are in the stands watching other events. The USATF officials do a superb job of keeping the meet on schedule and the audience and competitors informed. Announcers provide ongoing commentary during each event to let everyone know who is competing and if they are approaching particular records. It's exciting to hear your name over the loud speakers."

"In events like the 10,000 meters, (25 laps) each runner has his own official to count laps. Since athletes up to 90 years old compete, some fall several laps behind the leaders."

Goodhue would someday like to compete in the World Masters Athletic Championships which are held every two years. Next month, Riccione, Italy plays host to the event which includes opening ceremonies similar to the Olympics. On average, he breaks in his spikes at three track meets a year. U.S. events can be found at: www.usatf.org/events.

Although he had limited success in high school, it took the stress and strain of family life and work to think about running again. During a round of golf with another top master's runner Tim Emmett, Goodhue got the impetus to start training to race. "Tim had just finished the 1982 Free Press Marathon and I started asking him a lot of questions. The following year after turning forty, I finished my first road race, the Free Press Marathon. After that I figured everything else has got to be easier," he laughed.

"In the mid eighties, everyone told me that if I wanted to step up my road racing ability to another level I needed to work out on the track during the winter. So I joined the Ann Arbor Track Club and began working out at U of Michigan's indoor facility on Tuesday nights." As he approached 60, he reconnected with fellow Redford High School track star Bill Stewart, who served for several years as his advisor. "He helped me immensely, especially learning how to run while I was fatigued. He helped me with my diet and also made sure I ran on certified courses while going after over 60 age records."

"By my fifth marathon, I qualified for Boston in a time just over three hours. After I put that in my portfolio, I realized that middle distance races were more to my liking." The copious notes of his log books show that he set personal bests of 58 minutes at the Crim 10 mile run, a 1:17 half marathon at Dexter Ann Arbor and 16:48 for the 5km at the National Cross Country Championships. He won his age group six years in a row at the Boilermaker 15km in Utica, NY.

Running Times magazine and USA Track and Field News ranked him number the one runner in the country over age 60.

Another highlight of Goodhue's career was running the 2005 Boston Marathon with his wife Cindy (who has run more marathons than him). They ran together the entire way.

Through his membership with the Brighton Area Road Striders (BARS), Front Line Racing Team and Ann Arbor Track Club, he has made lots of friends. If they had a category for the best good guy of running it would be Goodhue.

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Doug Kurtis can be reached by clicking here!

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